Biddle family papers

The Biddle family papers include the papers of Charles Biddle, William S. Biddle, Nicholas Biddle, Charles J. Biddle, and Craig Biddle. The papers for Charles Biddle deal primarily with his land investments with Isaac Meason. These papers include patents, and correspondence concerned with Western...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Biddle family (Creator)
Collection:Biddle Family Papers
Collection Number:2146
Format: Manuscript
Language:English
Subjects:
Online Access:Link to finding aid
Physical Description: 33.0 Linear feet 33 linear feet, 65 boxes, 11 volumes
Summary: The Biddle family papers include the papers of Charles Biddle, William S. Biddle, Nicholas Biddle, Charles J. Biddle, and Craig Biddle. The papers for Charles Biddle deal primarily with his land investments with Isaac Meason. These papers include patents, and correspondence concerned with Western land speculation. Papers for his sons Edward and Richard are also among his papers. The papers for William S. Biddle, son of Charles and Hannah Shepard Biddle, include: correspondence, 1805-1835; real estate papers dealing with a lot on Race Street; legal papers concerning the settlement of various family member's estates; and miscellaneous printed material. The correspondence,1800-1844, 1849, 1863, n.d., for Nicholas Biddle discusses local and national politics, private investments, and private matters such as grape cultivation at Andalusia. Correspondents include: A.J. Dallas and Edward Coles on banking; Robert and John Oliver on the Craig estate; R.L. Colt on the Bank of the United States and land speculation; Thomas Biddle as land agent for Nicholas Biddle; B. DeHaert on Salt Spring, Montrose; James Monroe; Davey Crockett, on the bank question and Crockett's election; Daniel Webster; Henry Clay; George M. Dallas, William M. Meredith, John Read, E.R. Biddle, George M. Edwards, William Rawle, T.S. Taylor, and Henry Drinker on the Bank of the United States; Jno. McKinney and Henry D. Rogers on the Buffalo Furnace; and Thaddeus Stevens, on his relationship with the Court. The remainder of Nicholas Biddle's papers include: diaries on his travels in Europe; legal papers primarily for the Craig family and other family members; investment papers; Bank of the United States papers including his defense; receipted bills; commonplace books; and miscellaneous items. Correspondence, 1816, 1827, 1831-1873, 1882, 1883, n.d. represents the bulk of papers for Charles J. Biddle, son of Nicholas Biddle, There is a separate group of correspondence between Charles J. Biddle and his wife Emma Biddle of both personal and political nature, most of which discuss his experience in the House of Representatives. Topics in the chronological correspondence include his military and political careers, and his investments and various legal trusts. Correspondents include: John Cadwalader on legal matters; Roswell L. Colt on salt works and land purchasing; A.B. Reed on the Craig/McMurtrie lands; James Biddle, Thomas White, G.M. Dallas, and Henry Drinker all on the Mexican War; C.J. Ingersoll, Craig Biddle, Simon Cameron, William Seward, and James Buchanan all on political and military matters during the Civil War; George W. Woodward on Woodward's run for governor and other matters concerning the Democratic party; and Benjamin Rush on the Alabama claims. Legal papers, real estate papers, financial papers and miscellaneous papers including his literary pursuits finish out the Charles J. Biddle papers. The final series of papers belongs to Craig Biddle, youngest son of Nicholas Biddle. His papers include legal and miscellaneous papers and receipts. There is also an indexed volume of Biddle and Craig family letters, 1787-1825.